This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Reynolds, Baxter, McGinnis Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/YWC.2ACI/5369.2.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Eilis, I was away from the computer since Friday the ninth for the most part and didnt get back to until just now. I was tied up on family matters. Thanks for the information. Some of your ideas I have worked on a while back. In fact, last year I contacted the Archivist in the Dio. of Providence and She told me what churches were open back in the 1865-1900 time period. I didnt contact them at the time because I knew very little about the family.The state of RI searched the birth dates of the last two born in RI and have no records of their births. At the time I did not have any record of Marriages or deaths of the children. So, I started an organized search of RI indexes and then followed through on any leads. RI records are good and have organized indexes. I have done quite well. Also through city directorys I located a few that went to CT to work. In fact some of the family moved back and forth between RI and CT. They did scatter around the USA, One in LA, One in PA and one in CT, besides my grandfather who came to NJ. The death records gave me the cemetery where several are buried and that lead to other family members with different surnames. I feel I am about three-quarters of the way through the family on civil records.Also I have a couple of church records. None show anything other then an Ireland birth. I usually write the churches and include a donation with my request. As I said I dont write until I have a date for them as I know they wont do my research for me. Still, I find only about half respond and sometimes after long delays. Also, as we have talked about; many of the civil records show "parents unknown." A good source for records in New England and French Canada is the American French Genealogical Society located in Woonsocket, RI. They have over 6000 micro fiche of churches and various other records of that area. I have looked at over 40 of them for RI through their lending library. Every one I have viewed has been retyped in Alpha order, bride and groom, etc. You can view them very quickly. You must join the Society to access the fiche and the charge for postage and handling is very inexpensive. They will send you two sets of records at a time. I am still tied up with other matters but sent this message to thank you for your excellent help. I'll get back to you. Jack